Saturday, July 15, 2006

El Paso - That old song in my mind...

Out in the west Texas town of El Paso

I fell in love with a Mexican girl

Night time would find me in Rosa’s cantina

Music would play and Feleena would whirl…..

When I realized I had to land in El Paso before setting foot in Mexico, that old song just came up and kept playing itself in my mind.Marty Robbins went on to sing about how a handsome young cowboy “wild as the West Texas wind” came in one night and he had to challenge his love for the pretty young maiden.His challenge was answered in less than a heart-beat and the handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor, after which he had to run for his life, out through Rosa’s back door.A few years down the road, the wandering cowboy with his heart still yearning for his Mexican dancing girl arrived at the hill overlooking El Paso.There, feeling in his heart a love greater than his fear of death, he rode into town with “five mounted cowboys closing in on him on his right and on his left rode a dozen or more”.Shouting and shooting he rode straight for Rosa’s back door but he was shot down before he could get there.As he lay dying, he found himself cradled in the arms of his Mexican maiden….

After Cinderella, Snow White, Bugs Bunny and Donald Duck, I’d grown up with a steady diet of cowboy comics featuring Davy Crockett, Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid, Wild Bill Hikok, etc.Then I progressed to Louis L’amor novels and John Wayne movies among others.It is no small wonder then at the mention of El Paso, the memories of these came flooding back.

I’d not imagined I’d ever set foot in El Paso in my lifetime. Not even in my dreams.But there was I, even walking around in this historic town where nobody walks (to get anywhere significant, that is).The town, like most US towns, is built for the automobile.There are very few tall buildings.Most stores and supermarkets have huge parking lots.I sort of enjoyed every moment as I sat there in the lobby listening to the old portly hotel manager’s west Texan drawl telling about Mexicans, Chicanos and jokes from the internet.The next day before we left, he asked us where we’re going and I said, “South of the border”.And he broke into another of my favorite songs;

South of the border

Down Mexico way…

I’d not be there had I not responded to the call of duty and accepted to take the trip to our Juarez plant in Mexico.As it was, we had almost always set up and run our production lines based on some drawings, sketches, photos and word-of-mouth advice from ‘those who know’ until recently when our Manager of Production Process for Asia-Pacific region came and gave us a first-hand audit.And that was it!Our process standard wasn’t up to par.We needed a bench-marking trip to get ourselves up to world-class standards to meet world-class customers’ demands and to compete with world-class competitors.Fuyoh!!After looking at what others are doing elsewhere we realized we are still “jaguh kampong” in spite of the awards and certifications we display on our walls!

But, work aside.I found the lyrics that has been playing on in my mind every now and then through the years.

8 comments:

I've no idea. I only heard the original one on record which belonged to my cousin, long time ago. I have one on tape but it's not Marty Robbins. I'm trying to find the CD or maybe MP3 version. Will let you know if I can source it.

I've no idea. I only heard the original one on record which belonged to my cousin, long time ago. I have one on tape but it's not Marty Robbins. I'm trying to find the CD or maybe MP3 version. Will let you know if I can source it.

Thanks! Meanwhile i will also try to search from Amp Clock Mall. Tell you, my hubby play with valve amp, so, sometime i got the chances to listen to some old black CD (vocal, classic & etc). Inform you if i found it. :)

Howdy partner,I must say that i am a very good blog-reader and i really enjoy discovering fresh cool minds..

you did leave a comment on my page, and i thought to return the favour..

i read some your blogs and i do like to some of your writings.. kinda refreshing to talk about new topics.. like the ElPaso blog Davy Crockett, Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid, Wild Bill Hikok, and other names .. nobody talks about them nowadays, but it does give me warm feelings of those winter nights in Kuwait.. when western legends came alive and were real to me.. as a kid with hands shaped as pistols, they were my heroes..

i'd like to think that we are on the same page and i can relate what u r saying..

but i have to ask you to forgive my impulses and other youth stuff that annoys some people..

otherwise, you are welcome 2 my page and i hope i can drop-by from time to time..

Hi! looking for "El Paso" song of Marty Robbins? visit my site I have posted the song. Actually they're from 2 albums 1) Country USA, and 2) Gunfighter Ballads & Trail (full-lenght version) see you there!